Fisheries Development Program in North-West Russia

North-West Russia has good natural conditions to develop fishery industry into a significant sector of food production. Environmental conditions and market would allow much larger production of fisheries according to sustainable development. The area has a large potential demand for fish products, which the fisheries industry is presently unable to satisfy. Control of farmed fish supply provides an opportunity to expand distribution chain of produced fish and also to improve utilization of natural fish stocks.

Photo: Juha-Pekka Turkka

Goals

The overall purpose of the program was to support sustainable growth of aquaculture and fisheries sectors in North-West Russia. The program aims were thus creation of new employment opportunities and finally improvement of rural livelihood in target areas. In addition the aims of the program were conforming collaboration of fisheries and veterinary authorities in Finland and Russia, and development of networks to promote business opportunities between the countries.

The main sectors of the program and their targets were:

1. Fisheries management, in which the target was to enhance the strengthening of valuable natural fish stocks as well as to enhance the development of recreational and professional fisheries in the freshwaters of the North-West Russia.

2. Aquaculture and fish health, in which the target was to increase production of the local aquaculture industry, improve quality and availability of aquaculture products and the state of diagnostic and health care services for the industry. At the same time fish disease control system in common water bodies of Russia and Finland was to be improved.

3. Environmental protection, in which the targets were to prevent transmission of certain fish pathogens and harmful environmental effects of aquaculture and to develop sustainable fisheries.

Benefits

The project has brought available new tools for development of aquaculture and fisheries management including recreational and professional fishing in the area. Also Finnish participant organizations have gained experience in cooperation in these fields. The project has contributed to good fish health situation in common water bodies of Russia and Finland and has created new business opportunities for cooperation.